The Panama Football Federation (FEPAFUT) announced on Tuesday that it hired RAIZA GUTIÉRREZ as the coach of Panama's women's national team (RADIO PANAMA, 4/1). ... OSCAR CURUTCHET was on Wednesday named the new president of the Uruguayan FA (AUF). The appointment of Curutchet follows SEBASTIÁN BAUZÁ's resignation as president earlier this week, "as all five members of the AUF exec board resigned over a controversy sparked by violence last week" (EL PAIS, 4/2). ... Liga MX side Guadalajara announced the hire of Argentine RICARDO ANTONIO LA VOLPE as its new coach on Wednesday. La Volpe said, "One has to take the risks, you have to assume responsibility, and I do so with the idea of returning the happiness to the fan base" (LA AFICION, 4/2). ... League One side Tranmere appointed businessman JEREMY BUTLER as the club's new CEO. Butler, who has run a media business for the past 15 years, has been hired as part of Chair PETER JOHNSON's plans "to revitalise Rovers' fortunes." He starts Monday and "will also join the board of directors" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 4/2).

Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion STEPHEN GALLACHER "has been made a global ambassador by event organisers golf in DUBAi." His role as global ambassador "will see him wear the golf in DUBAi brand as part of a three-year deal until 2017" (GULF NEWS, 4/2).

STORM MAY CHALLENGE PENALTY: National Rugby League side Melbourne Storm player JORDAN MCLEAN "will serve a seven-game suspension after he was found guilty of a dangerous throw charge" on Newcastle's ALEX MCKINNON "that has left him in hospital with a spinal injury." A clearly distraught McLean "was handed the 725-point suspension on Wednesday night." Melbourne CEO MARK EVANS "fronted the media following the hearing, and while he threw his full support behind McKinnon, believes the seven-game suspension was over the top." Evans hinted that the club "would appeal against the ban that has rubbed McLean out until round 13 against the Roosters'' (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/2).